Graphene aerogels possess unique advantages for treating oil–water mixtures, but their fragile mechanical properties hinder further development, and their separation mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, a superhydrophobic silane-crosslinked graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol aerogel (Si-GPA) was prepared by directional freeze-drying of a graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol (GO/PVA) suspension and vapor-phase deposition of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) for efficient on-demand oil–water separation, and its separation mechanism was revealed through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. With the binding of PVA polymer chains and the cross-linking of MTES monomers, the Si-GPA exhibits excellent anisotropy, radial superelasticity (over 50 000 cycles at 50% strain), and axial superstiffness (freezing direction) (more than 20 000 times its own weight), which are the best-known results to date. The Si-GPA utilizes its superelasticity to adsorb floating oil on the sea surface and oil droplets in oil-in-water emulsions, while employing its superstiffness to filter water-in-oil emulsions in pipelines for on-demand oil–water separation. More importantly, the Si-GPA overcomes the trade-off between flux and efficiency, enabling the separation of water-in-oil emulsions with water droplet sizes several times smaller than its pore size under gravity alone, and with ultra-high flux (4350 L m⁻² h⁻²) and ultra-high purity (99.9%), 1–2 times higher than those of 2D superwetting separation membranes that require external pressure. Additionally, visualization analysis based on simulation modeling reveals the emulsion coalescence filtration mechanism of the Si-GPA. Therefore, mechanically robust superhydrophobic graphene aerogels have enormous potential in oil–water separation applications.

In this study, epoxy resin (EP) composites were prepared by using molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and helical carbon nanotubes (H-CNTs) as the antifriction and reinforcing phases, respectively. The effects of MoS₂ and H-CNTs on the friction coefficient, wear amount, hardness, and elastic modulus of the composites were investigated. The tribological properties of the composites were tested using the UMT-3MT friction testing machine, non-contact three-dimensional surface profilometers, and nanoindenters. The analytical results showed that the friction coefficient of the composites initially decreased and then increased with the increase in the MoS₂ content. The friction coefficient was the smallest when the MoS₂ content in the EP was 6%, and the wear amount increased gradually. With the increasing content of H-CNTs, the friction coefficient of the composite material did not change significantly, although the wear amount decreased gradually. When the MoS₂ and H-CNTs contents were 6% and 4%, respectively, the composite exhibited the minimum friction coefficient and a small amount of wear. Moreover, the addition of H-CNTs significantly enhanced the hardness and elastic modulus of the composites, which could be applied as materials in high-temperature and high-pressure environments where lubricants and greases do not work.